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Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. The first American Mardi Gras took place on March 3, Mardi Gras was celebrated in Roman Catholic communities in Europe and Latin America before it grew in America. Though the term refers to one specific day, Mardi Gras is not a single-day celebration. Mardi Gras arrived in North America as a sedate French Catholic tradition with the Le Moyne brothers, [3] Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, in the late 17th century, when King Louis XIV sent the pair to defend France's claim on the territory of Louisiane, which included what are now the U.S. states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. And in a way, maybe that’s for the best. Because while Mardi Gras is usually seen as an American excuse to indulge decadence (as if Americans need an excuse) the holiday’s history might get a rare chance to shine for once. And that history is far more religious than we usually recognize. Mardi Gras is French for ‘Fat Tuesday.’ Though Mardi Gras technically refers only to Fat Tuesday, the Mardi Gras season actually begins on Epiphany, a Christian holiday celebrated on January 6 that is otherwise known as Three Kings Day Residents of New Orleans have been celebrating Mardi Gras since the 18th century" ("Mardi Gras," Encarta). Mardi Gras "is a lively, colorful [not to mention bawdy and debased] celebration held on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent begins," says the World Book Encyclopedia. At the heart of it, Mardi Gras is also a Christian holiday traced to pagan spring and fertility rites dating back thousands of years that has become a popular cultural phenomenon worldwide. And although Mardi Gras is today most closely associated with New Orleans, Louisiana, it is observed in hundreds of cities in more than fifty countries. What is Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras (also known as Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday) is a Christian holiday (and now a popular cultural phenomenon) that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. It’s celebrated in many countries around the world on the day before the religious season of Lent begins. Carnival, Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday -The term “Carnival” technically Mardi Gras became an “official” Christian holiday in 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII instituted the namesake Gregorian calendar still in use today. By recognizing Mardi Gras as an overture to Lent, the idea was for all the partying and foolery to be over with when it came time to observe the requisite austerities. But even Mardi Gras New Orleans admits that the very first Mardi Gras in America was celebrated in 1699, near what is now Mobile, Alabama. Within a few decades, however, New Orleans became a hub for elegant Mardi Gras balls and, later, elaborate street processions. Mardi Gras has been an official holiday in New Orleans since 1875. Mardi Gras in Latin America: Carnival and Hispanic Culture. Mardi Gras is upon us! The festivities have arrived. Every year, they bring plenty of color and celebrations around the world. If you’re not familiar with Mardi Gras and its origins, it’s a Christian holiday that dates back thousands of years ago to pagan spring and fertility rites. Mardi Gras is the climax of Carnival season and is celebrated the day before the Christian season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. In French, Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday,” another name for Mardi Gras is strongly associated with wild bacchanalia and debauchery, but the original intent of the holiday and how it's kept by the faithful is much different. Fat Tuesday, as it is known in English, is a long-standing tradition of the Catholic Church and it marks the last day of ordinary time before the start of Lent, a time of fasting and As with many Christian holidays, the celebrations of Carnival and Mardi Gras were probably adapted in some way from pagan festivals. It may be rooted in a primitive festival celebrating the rebirth of nature; in Italy, it may be linked to the pagan Saturnalian festival of ancient Rome.[#1782] Mardi Gras Celebrations and Customs There are multiple religious holidays in March, including: National Read Across America Day: Sunday, March 2; Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday: Tuesday, March 2025 holiday schedule: Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras, which began as a religious holiday, has become a weeks-long celebration, one that gives millions the opportunity to let loose and over-indulge before Lent, a 40-day season of prayer The first Mardi Gras celebration in America was celebrated in 1703 in the settlement of Fort Louis de la Mobile. Mardi Gras was celebrated soon after the city of New Orleans was founded in 1718 MARDI GRAS ON PARADE. Quite frankly, religious people use Mardi Gras as a license to sin. Mardi Gras parades, complete with bead tossing from floats, involve alcohol, gluttony, and dancing. Sexual acts—including exposing certain body parts—are prevalent. People just seem to lose all temperance, doing whatever they want and how much they want. Mardi Gras is a well-known celebration that takes place annually, predominantly in French Catholic regions. This day, which is French for “Fat Tuesday,” marks the final day of Carnival festivities before the start of Lent. But is Mardi Gras a Christian holiday? Many people believe that the day is entirely secular, with no connection to Mardi Gras is the climax of Carnival season and is celebrated the day before the Christian season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. In French, Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday,” another name for
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